Membranipora membranacea (Linnaeus, 1767)

Description: This bryozoan forms lacy patches on kelp fronds. The individual zooids have transparent tops allowing the colour of the kelp to show through. Each zooid is rectangular.

Habitat: Typically on kelp, especially Laminaria hyperborea in the shallow sublittoral. Colonies grow towards the base of the kelp frond, as this is where the kelp grows from and therefore the colony does not all get shed when the kelp blades are shortened by winter storms.